The Kim Family
MATTHEW KIM MYUNG KIM HYUNG KIM
Many CTD students apply to classes with specific goals in mind, and they finish their courses with detailed, thorough knowledge of a particular topic, becoming experts in chemistry, current events, or psychology in just a few weeks. Other lucky participants gain something greater: a way to engage with the world as lifelong learners. Eight-year-old Matthew Kim is one such CTD student. “Matthew learned to be curious,” shares his father, Myung Kim. Mr. Kim says Matthew has applied this skill to other areas of his life, from searching his local library for books on new and interesting topics to changing the way he observes his daily surroundings. “After he took the class about how to build bridges,” Mr. Kim explains, “he would look for bridges while we were driving.”
Though only in third grade, Matthew has already expressed his curiosity by building a diverse CTD transcript. In the Weekend Enrichment Program (WEP) courses, he’s learned about game design, physics, engineering, and programming. As a Summer Program student, he’s developed his interests with classes in technology and biology, namely systems of the human body and the brain. Matthew has been able to use kid-friendly tools to explore these concepts, as some of his classes utilized WeDo robotics and LEGOs.
Matthew’s family shares in his desire to learn. His mother, Mrs. Hyung Kim, and his father join their son in visits to the public library near their home in the Northwest suburbs of Chicago, and the trio enjoys exploring the world with trips to new cities, visits to museums, and time spent in nature. When considering courses at CTD, they work with Matthew to help him cultivate his interests. “We like to choose the next CTD class together based on course description and recommendations from friends who took them previously,” Mr. Kim says. Though Matthew sometimes chooses options with similar overall themes as his previous CTD courses, Mr. Kim said he “always found that he learned something new,” advancing his knowledge of a particular subject. In addition to learning new material, Mr. Kim shares that he hoped Matthew would “learn
a new way of thinking” at CTD; not only has Matthew developed an understanding of new topics, Mr. Kim says he’s observed the development of Matthew’s problem-solving abilities.
CTD has been a source of community for the entire Kim family. Mr. Kim explains that he first learned about CTD from a friend, and he’s gone on to recommend the experience to others. The Kims have met other families through WEP’s parent seminars, a free, weekly series available to parents in the Chicago area; recent seminars have included parent discussion groups, presentations on other CTD programs, and talks on educational and policy issues related to high-ability children. Mr. Kim found the seminars to be a “wonderful place to network and learn about various educational topics,” and he’s been pleased to count CTD staff as part of this widening circle of educators and like-minded contemporaries. “We met so many wonderful teachers,” Mr. Kim says, remarking on their “dedication” and “remarkable and caring” approach.
The Kims have also benefited from watching their son’s non-academic world expand through CTD participation. “Matthew has met so many friends from the weekend program and summer programs,” says Mr. Kim. And in addition to a burgeoning sense of curiosity, Matthew has gained perspective that enriches his sense of possibility. “Among many aspects,” Mr. Kim shares, “we would say that the best part of CTD was to teach Matthew how to think and how to daydream.”
Such development includes continuously challenging young learners like Matthew, and Mr. Kim suggests that other CTD parents urge their children to “try taking new topics” when selecting courses, even if the subject differs from their existing interests. Additionally, Mr. Kim urges prospective CTD students and parents to “continue enrolling in the program throughout the year.” Reflecting on advice for others and the importance of finding CTD programs—for Matthew and the Kim family—Mr. Kim says “we feel very lucky.”
Center for Talent Development
ctd.northwestern.edu
ctd.northwestern.edu
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